Arthroscopic Surgery.
Arthroscopy means ” to look in side a joint” with a camera. It is a key hole operation.
Arthroscopic operations has changed the Orthopaedic Surgery completely. Initially it was used only for knee, but now we can treat most of the joint diseases in early stages through an arthroscope. Dr. Soni has experience to treat most diseases of shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and ankle through an arthroscopic surgery.
Advantages:-
- Faster recovery and return to work.
- Less pain after operation.
- Least complications rate
- No visible scarring over the joint
Services offered:-
- Meniscal (Cartilage) repair or removal.
- Joint preservation surgery (repair of joint surface cartilage)
Meniscus Tear
What is a Meniscus: There are two half moon shaped (semi lunar) cartilages in side the knee . They act as a shock absorber and stabilisers of the knee and protect the knee from developing arthritis.
It is wedge shaped structure which is very tough, mobile and pliable.
How is the meniscus torn: Compression and twisting injury to the knee, for example while playing foot ball, in a young athlete can result in meniscus tear. If the injury is much more severe than in addition to torn meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can also get damaged.
Meniscus tear is also common in people working on their knees in a small confined space like coal miners or who do excessive kneeling.
Diagnosis: When meniscus is torn following an acute injury, it produces pain, swelling and mechanical symptoms like catching or locking of the knee.
Diagnosis is based on proper history taking from pt and physical examination of the knee. We also often need further diagnostic test like MRI Scan.
Treatment: Conventional treatment of the torn cartilage used to be removal of torn part of cartilage with a key hole operation ( Arthroscopic menisectomy). Lately however we try to save the meniscus where ever possible.
It depends on:
- Pattern of tear
- Location of tear
- Age of patient
- Age of tear, (how long ago the tear happened)
- Arthroscopic assessment of tear to predict whether it will heal after repair
Tear which are chronic and in older patient are usually not suitable for repair and requires removal by arthroscopic partial menisectomy. This is usually done as a day case.
Meniscus although a important structure in the knee but once it is torn, the beneficial effect of it is lost and requires repair or removal.
Shoulder Arthroscopy:- For shoulder dislocation and other diseases.
Elbow Arthroscopy:-
- For loose bodies
- Osteochondritis of capitellum
- Synovectomy
- Release of stiff elbow